And That Ain't All...

We have some truly extraordinary news (the first details of "ANN 10.0") to impart to you shortly -- even better than what you're about to read -- but mark our words, the Aero-Gnomes of Aero-News have big plans for you this year...

Almost a decade ago, the Aero-News Network, The Aviation World's DAILY News and Information Service, set out to change the landscape of info services for the aviation and aerospace community. In that time, ANN has served the aviation public, every day, all 24 hours of it, in an unprecedented fashion and established itself as the leading, most widely read, aviation and aerospace news and information service in the world.

It didn't happen easily, it didn't happen overnight -- but thanks to the amazing efforts of a professional and dedicated staff, it DID happen... and aviators and aviation professionals the world over have benefited greatly from immediate Real-Time access to "all the news that's fit to fly."

As impressive as that record has been, though, ANN has never allowed itself to sit back and live off its rep... seeking and implementing new services and features at a breathtaking pace. One of the most successful upgrades to the vast ANN service line-up was the initiation of full-time multi-media/audio news and feature programming -- bringing DAILY audio news and features to the aviation world every business day... with even more coverage for a wide variety of special events.

After amassing a staggering roster of scheduled aviation audio programs in a little over a year (nearly 1000!), ANN has firmly established itself as a leader in Real-Time, multi-media news and feature programming for the aviation and aerospace industry. And -- it's time to not only raise the bar even further (any higher, though, and we're sure supplemental oxygen will be required...), but to build critical bridges to specific areas of aviation and aerospace that desperately need the attention and information services we can provide.

ANN has committed itself to a whole new series of "ANN FeatureCasts" combining the best news and feature  programming available... but tightly dedicated to very specific user, product, company interests and/or topics. FeatureCasts will target and partner with the very best Associations, Companies, and Owner's groups, as well as those significant topics/product lines with strong community/Aero-Consumer interest.

Depending on the interest involved, the size of the audience, and the content available; unique topical ANN FeatureCasts will be distributed on a monthly, bi-weekly or weekly basis...

The programs, due to be about a half hour in length, will be widely distributed via ANN's extensive syndication network, a few new outlets that we'll be announcing shortly (some of which are HUGE) as well as conventional podcast media and dedicated media channels of special interest to the specific genre targeted by each FeatureCasting Topic. The 30 minute programs will feature recent news and information about the topic at hand and also offer special features to compliment the program... either of an in-depth nature for complex features, or divided among a number of shorter topics per episode.

The FeatureCasts are designed to not only offer special attention to specific topics... but also to enhance a sense of community among those interested in the topic espoused by each FeatureCast. ANN has already undertaken over 30 agreements to produce FeatureCasts for some of the most auspicious entities in the aero-biz. ANN was selected by the world-renowned XPrize Foundation to produce what will eventually grow to be a weekly series of "FutureCasts" to help communicate and promote the world-changing mission of the XPrize visionaries. Microsoft has chosen ANN to be their news service to the immensely intriguing and ever-growing Flight Simulator community, and FeatureCasts are a critical part of the program. You ain't seen nothin' yet... Numerous major aircraft companies, owner's groups, type associations, and internationally recognized aviation organizations are partnering with ANN on dozens of FeatureCasting programs.

And you can, too...

Additional FeatureCast partners are being actively sought by ANN. While our FeatureCast partners are being brought on in order to lend their guidance and expertise in the planning and production of content for each individual program, the majority of the work will be done by ANN's professional staff of aviation journalists and audio producers. We're looking for guidance, insight, and backup -- but make no mistake about it, the workload is on us and we have no problem with that... it's our job and we've proven that we can do it better than anyone else (no matter how hard our imitators may try).

FeatureCasts will be distributed free of charge, under the ANN banner, or custom-branded by prior agreement with a few of our more auspicious partners. Sponsorship will be provided by businesses and companies associated with the FeatureCasting topic but priced specifically so that even the most basic "Mom and Pop" aero-business can cost-effectively benefit from exposure on ANN FeatureCast programming. In order to promote an ethical and open  relationship with our FeatureCast partners, ANN will offer them cost-free promotional credit for their assistance, but they will not be program sponsors, themselves. In other words, ANN FeatureCast content partners will not be chosen for their bucks; but for their expertise, standing in the industry, and the respect they've earned as a result.
 
ANN FeatureCasts will, initially, be offered in easily downloadable audio formats, though other multi-media outlets are being prepared for future dissemination (more info to follow... but be prepared to be blown away). The audio programming will be produced by award-winning radio and audio professionals whose credentials literally extend to the international news network level (listen to the professional sound of any current ANN Aero-Cast and you'll see what we mean -- these guys are GOOD). All aviation content will be researched, authored and edited by ANN's team of professional aviators and journalists... with the assistance of our content partners. FeatureCast programming will not only be an excellent way to support the community involved, but a wonderful outreach to others with interest in the topic at hand, since all FeatureCast programming will be extensively distributed via ANN's many outlets -- both in and out of normal aviation information outlets.

ANN is adding new staffers to our ranks (and still needs a few more) in order to be able to staff up to handle the tremendous amount of information and programming that will be offered via these programs... so parties interested in investigating FeatureCast opportunities are urged to contact ANN Editor-In-Chief, Jim "Sleepless" Campbell, ASAP in order to be considered for the limited programming slots remaining for the foreseeable future.

FMI: ANN FeatureCast Inquiries